MANAGING MILLENNIALS
What’s a Millennial
- Understand what defines a Millennial (including range of birth dates, common traits, etc.) as well as the reasons that Millennials are important in the workforce.
- Learn about the influence Millennials will hold as the workforce shifts and how the sizes of different generations will play a role.
Perceptual Position
- Understand the three perceptual positions and practice seeing any given situation from each of the three perspectives.
Learn about the factors and influences that create differences in perspectives
between generations.
VISION SKILLS : HELP THEM SEE
Explain the reasons for doing their work, why it matters, and what depends on them doing a good job. Share your expertise.
Understand what they care about and help them tie what they are working on to something meaningful for them.
Avoid assumptions and eliminate ambiguity by making sure they understand the important details about what they are working on and the results that are expected.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: BE HEARD
Find ways to build trust and genuinely connect with them. Mentor more than you give orders.
Give feedback in positive terms and by separating performance from the individual (ie. “This behavior needs improvement” vs “You need improvement”). Give encouragement rather than punishment.
Adapt to their brief, frank communication style, and don’t take offense. Keep the focus on their performance and development (instead of on your own feelings).
ADAPTING SKILLS: PLAY TO THEIR STRENGTH
Keep their minds and hearts engaged by using their well-developed imaginations to solve problems and innovate.
Cater to their award-focused upbringing by rewarding their performance, whether just acknowledging their contribution for smaller successes or something more for the larger ones.
Focus more on what gets done than on how it gets done, and give them the leeway to work how they want when possible.